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See places of great natural beauty and gain insight into the Finnish heritage. Visit the Saimaa lake district and continue through Karelia, a borderland between East and West where eastern Orthodox traditions are part of everyday life. From the untouched wilds of Kuusamo, you go on to Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland on the Arctic Circle. Day 1: Traces of the Past Depart
early morning by coach for Porvoo, the second oldest town in Finland. The old part of
the town is famous for its charming old warehouses, cobblestone lanes,
handicraft shops and the medieval cathedral. Lunch will be enjoyed in
the old Ruotsinpyhtaa ironworks village, dotted with red 18th-century
workers´ dwellings. Next stop will be at Langinkoski rapids where you
see the imperial fishing lodge that Czar Alexander III had built on the
shore of the roaring rapids. Dinner and overnight at Rantasipi Hotel
Valtionhotelli in Imatra. (L,D,O)
Day 2: Stunning Finnish Countryside Drive through the beautiful Punkaharju esker ridge, an isthmus between two large lakes, and continue to Retretti Art Exhibition featuring classical and contemporary collections, housed partly in an underground cave. After lunch in Punkaharju you head to Savonlinna to pay a visit to Olavinlinna Castle, the venue of the annual Savonlinna Opera Festival. In the afternoon you visit the eastern orthodox monastery of Valamo in Heinavesi and have a cup of tea brewed in the traditional style in a silver samovar, sweetened with raspberry jam and accompanied by old-Russian delicacies. Continue to Koli Hills, Finland’s best-known spot of natural beauty. From the highest hilltop there is a spectacular view over forests and lakes. Dinner and overnight at Sokos Hotel Koli in Lieksa. (B,L,D,O)
Day 3: Karelian Heritage Today’s excursion will acquaint you with Karelian culture and traditions. On a visit to a local farmhouse you will experience the friendly hospitality that the Karelians are famous for. See fine examples of wooden architecture and visit exhibitions of local arts and crafts, listen to music played on Kantele, the Finnish folk music instrument, and savor Karelian specialties. Dinner and overnight at Sokos Hotel Koli in Lieksa. (B,L,D,O)
Day 4: Art and Adventures On the way to Kuhmo you will stop in Vuonislahti to see the studio and the little log chapel of sculptress Eva Ryynänen, who had a unique talent for making sculptures out of wood. In the Ruunaa wilderness close to the Finnish-Russian border, you have a chance to shoot the rapids on a long wooden boat, steered by local fishermen. After lunch by a crackling fire, tour proceeds to Kalevala village, which offers a fascinating look at the old traditions of the Karelian people as they were in the 19th century, a period when the ancient poems of Finland’s national epic, the Kalevala, were collected. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Kalevala in Kuhmo. (B,L,D,O)
Day 5: Impressive Landscapes After guided tour of the village, continue northwards. You see the North-Karelian landscape of hills, lakes, and lush green meadows change to steep cliffs, streams, and wild forests. Lunch en route. In Kuusamo, stop to admire a natural sight of astounding beauty, Julma Olkky, the deepest canyon lake in the area. Dinner and overnight at Spa Hotel Kuusamon Tropiikki in Kuusamo. (B,L,D,O)
Day 6: Where Santa Claus is at Home After breakfast you set off for an excursion to Lake Kitka. Sitting in a rowing boat or standing on the shore, you can watch local fishermen seine-fishing. If the catch is good, it will be prepared for lunch. On the way to Rovaniemi, you pay a visit to the coffee cup museum. See the key sights of Rovaniemi and visit Santa’s Workshop at the Arctic Circle, meeting the jolly old man in person, and taking part in a Lapp ceremony. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Rantasipi Pohjanhovi in Rovaniemi.
Day 7: Goodbye to Finland
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